[Suddenly] the sun climbed over the eastern shadow.... Then Pippin cried aloud, for the Tower of Ecthelion... shone out against the sky, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver, tall and fair and shapely...; and white banners broke and fluttered from the battlements... and high and far he heard a clear ringing as of silver trumpets.

So Gandalf and Peregrin rode to the Great Gate... at the rising of the sun, and its iron doors rolled back before them.

'Mithrandir! Mithrandir!' men cried. 'Now we know that the storm is indeed nigh!'

'It is upon you,' said Gandalf.... 'Let me pass! I must come to your Lord Denethor, while his stewardship lasts. Whatever betide, you have come to the end of the Gondor that you have known.'....

Pippin gazed in growing wonder at the great stone city, vaster and more splendid than anything that he had dreamed of....

At last they came out of shadow to the seventh gate.... Gandalf dismounted, for no horse was allowed in the Citadel....

[At] once they were admitted.... Quickly Gandalf strode across the white-paved court. A sweet fountain played there..., and a sward of bright green lay about it; but in the midst, drooping over the pool, stood a dead tree, and the falling drops dripped sadly from its... broken branches....

It looked mournful, [Pippin] thought, and he wondered why the dead tree was left in this place where everything else was well tended.

The words that Gandalf had murmured came back into his mind. And then he found himself at the doors of the great hall beneath the gleaming tower; and behind the wizard he passed the tall silent door-wardens....

They walked down a paved passage..., and as they went Gandalf spoke softly to Pippin. 'Be careful of your words, Master Peregrin! This is no time for hobbit pertness. Théoden is a kindly old man. Denethor is of another sort, proud and subtle, a man of far greater lineage and power, though he is not called a king. But he will speak most to you, and question you much, since you can tell him of his son Boromir. He loved him greatly.... But... he will think it easier to learn what he wishes from you rather than from me. Do not tell him more than you need, and leave quiet the matter of Frodo'serrand.... And say nothing about Aragorn either....'

'Maybe, maybe,' said Gandalf. 'Though if he comes, it is likely to be in some way that no one expects, not even Denethor. It will be better so. At least he should come unheralded by us.'

Gandalf halted before a tall door of polished metal. 'See, Master Pippin, there is no time to instruct you now in the history of Gondor.... Do as I bid! It is scarcely wise when bringing the news of the death of his heir to a mighty lord to speak over much of the coming of one who will, if he comes, claim the kingship. Is that enough?'

'Kingship?' said Pippin amazed.

'Yes,' said Gandalf. 'If you have walked all these days with closed ears and mind asleep, wake up now!' He knocked on the door.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 8Mar07

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